poderoso
“poderoso” means “powerful” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
powerful, mighty
Also: influential, strong
📝 In Action
El presidente es un hombre muy poderoso en este país.
A2The president is a very powerful man in this country.
Las olas del océano eran poderosas después de la tormenta.
B1The ocean waves were mighty/powerful after the storm.
La empresa tecnológica se ha convertido en una fuerza poderosa en el mercado global.
B2The technology company has become a powerful force in the global market.
potent, strong
Also: intense, highly effective
📝 In Action
El pegamento que usó es tan poderoso que no puedo separar las piezas.
B1The glue he used is so strong/potent that I can't separate the pieces.
La medicina tiene un efecto poderoso contra el dolor de cabeza.
B1The medicine has a powerful/potent effect against the headache.
El orador tenía una voz poderosa que llenó todo el auditorio.
B2The speaker had a powerful voice that filled the entire auditorium.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "poderoso" in Spanish:
highly effective→influential→intense→mighty→potent→powerful→strong→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: poderoso
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'poderoso' to describe an intense effect rather than political strength?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Late Latin term *poterōsus*, which itself is derived from the verb *potere*, meaning 'to be able' or 'to have power.' It is closely related to the Spanish word 'poder' (power).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'poderoso' always positive?
Not necessarily. While it implies great capability, it can be used negatively to describe an overwhelming or dangerous force, like 'un enemigo poderoso' (a powerful enemy) or 'un golpe poderoso' (a mighty blow).